WESTLAKE, Ohio -- The city of Westlake has asked a court for a temporary restraining order to stop Cleveland from imposing additional fees on Westlake water customers.

In a statement issued late Thursday morning, Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough said his city "will do everything we can to stop this action." Cleveland City Council on Monday cleared the way for Cleveland Water to charge Westlake residents another $291 on their quarterly water bills as part of an ongoing dispute between the two cities. That fee would start in February.

At issue is Cleveland's contention that Westlake intends to leave Cleveland Water in favor of another bulk supplier, possibly Avon Lake. Westlake officials say they are only exploring options. Cleveland says it's entitled to the additional fees to recover about $19 million it will cost to reroute pipes to continue service to neighboring suburbs and for nearly $40 million that Cleveland says Westlake owes for various infrastructure projects.

In the statement, Clough said that Cleveland has no authority to take the "illegal" action. "Cleveland's decision to do this is not only uncalled for, but unprecedented," the mayor said. "We have advised Cleveland since 2007 that our water supply contract with them expires in 2015. From 2007 until now we have sought a new contract with new terms and conditions. Cleveland's response has been to claim that it has some right to charge Westlake residents millions of dollars."

Clough said that Westlake's charter limits him to a 25-year contact, which will expire on March 19, 2015. He said he would like Westlake to remain a Cleveland Water customer if it is economically feasible. But Clough repeated that Avon Lake would offer Westlake customers lower rates.

"As mayor, it is my responsibility to provide the citizens of Westlake with the best possible contract assuring they have safe, reliable and high-quality water and service at the most reasonable and affordable rates now and in the future."

A spokeswoman for the city of Cleveland said late Thursday afternoon that officials there had no comment on Westlake's statement.

The request for the temporary restraining order was filed as part of Westlake's pending case in the court of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Michael Astrab. The suburb last year asked the court for a declaratory judgment to determine Westlake's rights and obligations under its existing agreement with Cleveland.

Westlake City Council President Michael Killeen said in the statement issued Thursday that, "While we will continue a constructive dialogue in good faith with Mayor [Frank] Jackson, Cleveland City Council and the Cleveland Water Department, we believe there are a number of courses of action at our disposal as we look at a 2015 contract expiration date."

He said those options could include "continue spending more for water rather than realize the savings from other suppliers," extending the current agreement until an "equitable settlement" is negotiated, using two water suppliers or -- if necessary -- settling the matter in court.

Clough said that Cleveland Water has "not met Westlake's service expectations for years" and reiterated his objections to Cleveland's desire to take over water line infrastructure in which he said the suburb has invested heavily.

He also said that Westlake continues to want to be a master metered community. But, Clough has said in the past, Cleveland has rejected that option. Such communities are responsible for their own infrastructure in return for getting wholesale prices on water.

The Westlake mayor said he expects that a study the city commissioned to determine its best course of action in choosing a water supplier will be done by Dec. 15.

"We will continue to remain transparent, provide up-to-date information on the city's website and remain fiscally prudent on behalf of every Westlake resident," Clough said. "While we understand that the City of Cleveland has financial challenges, it isn't fair that Westlake be penalized for being a good customer and committed steward of our community."

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